Borehole generator
In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to couple a stator to a borehole, and to move a rotor relative to the stator to generate electrical current to power a borehole tool.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a stator arranged to operatively couple to a borehole;
a rotor electromagnetically coupled to the stator to generate electrical current, the rotor to rotate using power;
a switch arranged to receive the electrical current and to provide power to one or more electrical systems disposed in the borehole; and
a mud generator coupled to the switch such that the mud generator operatively provides the power to the one or more electrical systems.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said rotor to rotate using power comprises using power supplied by at least one of a rotary table and a mud motor.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a coil is included in the rotor, and wherein a magnet is included in the stator.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including:
a drilling mud passage in one of the stator or the rotor.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including:
a battery to receive the electrical current.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a borehole attachment mechanism having a drilling stabilizer device.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the drilling stabilizer device includes wheels to contact a wall of the borehole.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the drilling stabilizer device includes a sensor to contact a wall of the borehole.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the stator and the drilling stabilizer device form a substantially integrated assembly.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including:
a drilling mud seal between the rotor and the stator.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stator is included in a piggy-back stabilizer, and wherein the rotor is included in a drill bit assembly.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further including:
a sensor included in the drill bit assembly.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , further including:
a coil included in the rotor, the coil to receive an induced current to power a sensor included in the drill bit assembly.
14. An apparatus, comprising:
a stator arranged to operatively couple to a borehole;
a rotor electromagnetically coupled to the stator to generate electrical current, the rotor to rotate using power; and
a switch coupled to a mud generator and arranged to receive the electrical current, the switch to provide power to one or more electrical systems disposed in the borehole, wherein a coil is included in the stator, and wherein a magnet is included in the rotor.
15. An apparatus, comprising:
a stator arranged to operatively couple to a borehole;
a rotor electromagnetically coupled to the stator to generate electrical current, the rotor to rotate using power; and
a switch coupled to a mud generator and arranged to receive the electrical current, the switch to provide power to one or more electrical systems disposed in the borehole, wherein a first coil and a first magnet are included in the rotor, and wherein a second coil and a second magnet are included in the stator.
16. A system, comprising:
a drilling rig rotary table;
a stator arranged to operatively couple to a borehole;
a rotor electromagnetically coupled to the stator to generate electrical current, said rotor to rotate using power supplied by the drilling rig rotary table;
a switch arranged to receive the electrical current and to provide power to one or more electrical units disposed in the borehole; and
a mud generator coupled to the switch such that the mud generator operatively provides the power to the one or more electrical systems.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the electrical current is to be transmitted to a bottom hole assembly.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the bottom hole assembly further includes:
a plurality of downhole sensors; and
a data acquisition system coupled to the plurality of downhole sensors.
19. A system, comprising:
a drilling rig rotary table;
a stator arranged to operatively couple to a borehole;
a rotor electromagnetically coupled to the stator to generate electrical current, said rotor to rotate using power supplied by the drilling rig rotary table; and
a switch coupled to a mud generator and to the electrical current, the switch to transmit power to a bottom hole assembly, wherein the bottom hole assembly includes a plurality of acoustic pulsers.
20. A method, comprising:
coupling a stator to a borehole;
moving a rotor relative to the stator to generate electrical current to power a borehole tool; and
switching between the electrical current and a mud generator so as to provide power one or more electrical systems of the borehole tool.
21. The method of claim 20 , further including:
receiving the electrical current at a power supply coupled to a data acquisition system.
22. The method of claim 20 , further including:
receiving the electrical current at a battery to charge the battery.
23. The method of claim 20 , further including:
sensing a failure to supply the electrical current to a data acquisition system; and
using a battery to supply power to the data acquisition system.
24. A method, comprising:
coupling a stator to a borehole;
moving a rotor relative to the stator to generate electrical current to power a borehole tool;
sensing a failure to supply the electrical current to a data acquisition system; and
using a mud generator to supply power to the data acquisition system alternatively from supplying the electrical current to the data acquisition system.
25. A method, comprising:
coupling a stator to a borehole;
moving a rotor relative to the stator to generate electrical current to power a borehole tool; and
operating a mud pulse telemetry system powered from a switch coupled to the electrical current and a mud generator.